The Oyo state government has said that it will prosecute anyone caught disposing refuse indiscriminately in the state.

Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Oni, stated this on Thursday in Ibadan during a sensitisation visit to major markets over eports of indiscriminate refuse  disposal in some parts of the state.

Markets visited were those in Oke-Ado, Molete, Challenge, Mobil, Iwo Road and Mokola areas.

Addressing the marketers and residents, the commissioner said that indiscriminate dumping of refuse would no longer be tolerated in the state.

Mr Oni decried what he called indiscriminate disposal of refuse among traders, saying that this was jeopardising government’s efforts at making Oyo one of the neatest states in Nigeria.

He said that dumping of refuse on the road median was unhealthy, adding that every individual had a role to play in making the state clean.

“It is forbidden for anyone to dump refuse on the road side or water ways. We have the task force team going round and monitoring the situation.

“It saddens the state government, led by Gov. Seyi Makinde, to be arresting people and taking them to tribunal. But, some people will just refuse to conform and this is unfortunate.

“Anyone arrested for disposing refuse indiscriminately in the state will henceforth be prosecuted,” he said.

The commissioner said government had engaged the services of contractors to handle collection of refuse in the state, adding that those who needed refuse storages would be provided.

(NAN)